Van Guard 1400FLi Series, Operation Manual

Setup

Note:  This completes the setup for the 1486FLi.  The next 5 pages will explain how to use and make adjustments  

to the microscope.

12

1.

  Begin by turning on the 

substage illuminator

 with the 

power switch

 located on the 

lower left side of the instrument. Set the 

objectives

 so they are in the approximate 

position for actual use. This is best achieved by placing a slide on the 

stage

, 

rotating the 100X 

objective

 into position, then raising the stage (via the 

coarse/

fine focus control

 knobs) until the tip of the 100X 

objective

 is just above the slide 

(almost touching).  

2.

  Rotate the 

nosepiece

 until the 10X 

objective

 is in the light path, then rotate the 

phase annulus turret

 (the dial on the front of the condenser) in the 

phase contrast 

condenser assembly

 until the “10” is seen in the viewing window (see figure 16).  

3.

  Remove an 

eyepiece

 from one of the 

eyetubes

 and replace with the 

phase contrast 

centering telescope 

(see figure 17).  

4.

  After loosening the set screw on the 

phase contrast centering telescope

, look 

through the 

phase contrast centering telescope 

and

pull out the uppermost piece 

of the 

phase contrast centering telescope

 until the image is in focus. Tighten the 

set screw.

5.

  The image seen through the 

phase contrast centering telescope

 should resemble 

rings superimposed on one another (see Figure 18A). What is actually being 

viewed are the phase rings.

6.

  Turn the 

condenser centering knobs

, which extend from the front of the condenser 

mount, until the two rings of light are centered upon one another (see Figure 18B).

Aligning the Phase Contrast Annulus Rings

Phase contrast is a system which utilizes a series of light baffling annulus rings.  Proper 

alignment of these rings is absolutely necessary to achieve optimal phase contrast.

Figure 7B

Figure 7A

1486FLi Model

Figure 17

Figure 16

7.

  Once the phase rings are centered, remove the 

phase contrast centering telescope

 and replace with the 

eyepiece

.

The phase rings are now centered for the other remaining 

objectives

 unless one of the factory phase objectives has been 

replaced. In this instance you will need to align just that condenser setting for your new objective using the centering knobs 

located at the rear of the condenser (not the knobs at the front as used in step 6 above).

NOTE:  Brightfield work can be achieved by setting the condenser at the “0” marking. Likewise, the “DF” setting is 

for Darkfield work.